TAVERNER AND SWALES, ON BIRDS OF POINT PELEE. 89 



readily distinguished from the Golden Plover in life by its black, in- 

 stead of gray, auxiliaries that in flight stand out prominently from the 

 general gray of wings and sides; and the rather prominent white 

 rump that in certain conditions of flight is very noticeable. 



60.' *Charadrius dominions, American Golden Plover. 



We have met the Golden Plover but twice, both times in the fall, 

 Sept. 15, 1905, and Sept. 19, 190G. Gardner reported seeing eight on 

 the marsh Sept. 2, 1907. This completes the record for the Point to 

 date. The shooters tell us that in October great numbers are found 

 on the marsh, and though we can not always tell which of the two 

 large plover are referred to, the time is more in keeping with the hab- 

 its of the Golden than the Black-bellied, as it seems to be a much 

 later migrant in the fall than the other. 



61. *0xycclius voci ferns, Killdeer. 



The Killdeer is not a common bird on the Point itself, though they 

 seem usually common on the mainland near the base. In our. Septem- 

 ber visits we usually see or hear one or two every day. They seldom 

 alight on the beaches or mingle with the other waders found there. 

 They undoubtedly breed on the cultivated fields at the base. 



62. *./;// /////</* xemiiHilinata, Semipalmated Plover. 



We have but two or three records for this species in spring. lu 

 May, 1884, Saunders met it on the Point, May 20, 1906, three, and 

 May :io. 1907, we saw two. During all fall trips, however, it has been 

 plentiful. Oct. 29, 1905, Taverner took one. All fall birds so far 

 seen or taken have been juveniles with the black of the head and 

 bre:nst replaced with dingy brown. We expected, August 24, 1907, 

 when we arrived at the Point, to find the adults still there, but were 

 mistaken. At Detroit the adults go through about the middle of Au- 

 gust, and do not stay long. As a rule two weeks covers their sojourn, 

 but it is seen as in other species, that the younger individuals linger 

 much longer than the adults. As a rule they occur on the beaches of 

 the Point in little groups of three or four in company with Semipal- 

 mated Sandpipers and Sanderling, and no wader group is complete 

 without one or more. 



63. *JEgialitis meloda, Piping Plover. 



No wader is nor could be more daintily pretty than this little spe- 

 cies. Its delicate, tasteful coloration, combined with its eloar whistled 

 pipe as it flies out over the blue water, and from which it has taken 

 its name, make a rare combination that, together with the smooth 

 beaches upon which it runs, and the adjoining waters reflecting the 

 blue skies overhead, arouses a sentimental interest more lively than 

 any other shore bird is capable of awakening. It is a common summer 

 resident and regular breeder on the east beach. We have found them 

 there on each May visit and usually discovered nests and eggs. The 



